Sewer district celebrates opening of Oak Grove plant

Lynn Schoessler, executive director of Oregon's Infrastructure Finance Authority will join Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Director Dick Pedersen and other local leaders on Saturday, Aug. 3, to celebrate the completion of a major overhaul for Oak Lodge Sanitary District's water reclamation facility at 13750 S.E. Renton Ave.

A family-friendly community event that features, music, hot dogs and hands-on public works equipment displays begins at 11 a.m. Tours of the new facility will be offered until 3 p.m.

After the district mailed invitations to all its customers, Board of Directors President William Wild wanted the community "owners" to come see their new treatment facility.

"This project has been a true community effort," he said. "We are thrilled to share this special day with our customers and others interested in clean water."

He reminded community members to bring their families: "This investment was for our future  our children and grandchildren," Wild said.

On Nov. 3, 2009, voters in the Oak Lodge Sanitary District approved the sale of up to $44 million in general obligation bonds to rebuild the aging wastewater reclamation plant. The measure was approved by a wide margin  with 85 percent voter approval. Construction at the facility began in June 2010.

Formed in 1956, Oak Lodge Sanitary District provides sanitary sewers and stormwater management for a service area population of 30,000 in Oak Grove, Jennings Lodge, Oatfield Ridge and portions of Gladstone and Milwaukie.